Customs, NESREA strengthen collaboration on environmental protection

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to enhancing collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to ensure environmental safety, trade efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by NESREA’s management team to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, Adeniyi described inter-agency synergy as crucial to achieving national economic and security goals.

“We recognise the importance of collaboration and partnership. Many of us have witnessed the golden era of synergy between Customs and NESREA, whether at seaports or border stations. Our commitment to this partnership remains unwavering,” Adeniyi stated.

He noted that the World Customs Organisation (WCO) consistently advocates active cooperation between regulatory agencies, highlighting how such partnerships drive trade facilitation, environmental enforcement and national security.

Adeniyi also outlined the NCS’s 2024 achievements, including surpassing its N5.1-trillion revenue target by November and exceeding N6 trillion by December – achievements attributed to improved efficiency and strategic collaborations.

“These successes are not just about revenue; they reflect our efforts to create a structured, technology-driven trade environment,” he explained. He emphasised the service’s commitment to digital transformation, intelligence gathering and strategic alliances, proposing deeper digital integration with NESREA to streamline regulatory enforcement.

NESREA’s Director-General, Dr Innocent Barikor, commended Customs for its progressive reforms and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to stronger collaboration. He stressed the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly in restricting hazardous imports. He outlined NESREA’s role in enforcing 35 environmental regulations covering air, land and sea pollution and waste management.

Barikor also raised concerns over the increasing importation of end-of-life electronics and other environmentally harmful goods, warning that improper disposal poses severe risks.

“Some organisations are importing goods that no longer align with environmental best practices, particularly electronic waste. Our inability to manage the resulting hazardous chemicals is already affecting our ecosystem,” he cautioned.